B.3.6.1.8 Downrange Seeding Specifications

FOR MORE DETAILED SITE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, CONTACT DECAM, RESOURCE SUSTAINMENT BRANCH CHIEF

General

Applicable Publications

The following publication of the issue listed below form a part of the specification to the extent referenced.  The publication is referenced in the text by basic designation only. 

Federal Specifications

FS O-F-241D Fertilizer, Mixed, Commercial 

U.S. Department Of Agriculture: 

Federal Seed Act of 9 August 1939 (53 Stat. 1275) 

Natural Resources Land Management: 

Army TM5-630  July, 1982 

Colorado Department of Agriculture:

Colorado Seed Act, title 35, Article 37, July 1999

Quality Control

The Contractor shall establish and maintain quality control for operations under this section, to assure compliance with contract requirements.  The Contractor shall maintain records of quality control for materials, equipment, and construction operations.  The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least two weeks prior to the start of seeding operations. 

Delivery, Storage and Handling: 

Delivery

MATERIAL used for seeding, such as seed, hay, hay bales, blankets, etc., shall be inspected upon arrival at the job site.  Unacceptable material shall be removed from the job site. 

SEED  shall be protected from any drying, moisture or contamination by detrimental material upon delivery and when being stored.

Materials: 

Seed

Seed shall be Colorado State-certified seed of the latest season’s crop.  The seed shall be delivered in original sealed packages bearing the producer’s guaranteed analysis for percentages of mixture, purity, germination, weed-seed content, and inert material.  All seed material shall be certified to be free of noxious weed seed.  The date of testing shall be one year or less at time of planting.  Seed shall be labeled in conformance with U. S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations under the Federal Seed Act and applicable state seed laws.  Seed that has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged will not be acceptable.  All seed shall be adapted to southeast Colorado.  On-site seed mixing shall be performed only in the presence of the Contracting Officer.  The pure live seed mixture to be used shall be as follows:

SEED MIXTURE The mixture of each seed lot shall contain the following pounds of pure live seed per acre, unless specified differently in 2.1.1.2.

Seed Substitution

When Vaughn sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is not available, Pastura little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or El Reno sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) at same lbs/AC. shall be used as a substitute when approved by the COR.  Likewise, when Barton western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) is not available, Arriba western wheatgrass at the same seeding rate may be used when approved by the COR.  When Pryor slender wheatgrass (Agropyron trachycaulum) is not available, then Revenue slender wheatgrass variety may be substituted at the same seeding rate.  #This is a new species in the mix, which has been grown in plot trials on Fort Carson.  Slender wheatgrass is reported to have good germination and strong seedling vigor, but then declines after three years.  This should allow longer-lived perennials to occupy the space.  Other grass species in the mix may be supplied from ‘variety not stated’ (vns) sources.  The seed varieties shall be mixed and sacked in the proper amount by the seed supplier according to the seed mix.

*1 When Vaughn Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is not available, Pastura Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or El Reno sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) at same LB PLS/AC shall be used as a substitute when approved by the Contracting Officer.  Likewise, when Barton Western Wheatgrass is not available, Arriba Western Wheatgrass at the same seeding rate may be used when approved by the Contracting Officer.  The seed varieties shall be mixed and sacked in the proper amount by the seed supplier according to the seed mix.

Critical Area Seeding Rate:  

Those areas which have been graded, received repeated foot traffic or have slopes 3:1 or greater.  The seeding mix and rate stated in tables under paragraph 2.1.1 shall be applied to all areas designated as a critical area. 

Broadcast Seeding Rate:  

An area which is to be seeded by the broadcast method will receive double the specified rate.  For example, if an area is classified as a critical area and is to be broadcast seeded, then the Critical Area Seeding rate, as specified in tables under 2.1.1. will be doubled. The same applies for drill seeding. 

Commercial Seed Formula:  The following formula shall be used to determine the amount of commercial seed required to provide in each kind of seed the specified quantities of Pure Live Seed (PLS). 

Required Pounds Pure Live Seed x 100 x 100 = Pounds Commercial Seed

Purity2 x Germination2

2Purity and Germination expressed as whole numbers 

Topsoil 

Topsoil shall be stripped to the depth indicated and stockpiled as directed.  When the topsoil is spread evenly over the area to be rehabilitated, it shall be a minimum of 4 inches in depth.  If for any reason this minimum 4-inch requirement can not be met with the topsoil excavated from the site, the remaining amount shall be hauled in from a DECAM approved source.  Suitability of soil proposed for use as topsoil shall be in accordance with 2.3. and determined by the DECAM. 

Additional Topsoil 

If additional topsoil is required beyond that available from grading operations, it shall be furnished by the Contractor.  It shall be a natural, friable soil representative of productive soils in the vicinity, and approved by the Contracting Officer, through the DECAM.  It shall be obtained from well-drained areas, and shall be free of any admixture of subsoil, foreign matter, objects larger than 1 inch in any dimension, toxic substances, and any material or substance that may be harmful to plant growth.  The Fort Carson Natural Resources Division of the DECAM will have the final determination on what is considered topsoil whenever there is a question or dispute. 

Mulch 

The Contractor shall use native grass hay at a rate of two tons (air dry weight) per acre, fixed in place with disk land packers, or disk harrows on all surfaces with a 3:1(3 horizontal:1 vertical) slope or less.  Slopes steeper than a 3:1 slope shall require an erosion control blanket as described in section 2.5.  All other mulch materials and/or methods of application shall be approved by the Contracting Officer, through the DECAM, prior to application.

All native Grass Hay, Hay, and Stray materials to include loose or bailed material used on Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon are to be Colorado Certified Weed Free.  See the Colorado Department of Agriculture's web site for a list of certified supplies.

Mulch shall be long stem native grass hay that is free from noxious weeds, mold or other objectionable material.  When long stem native grass hay is not available, a substitute may be used when approved by the DECAM.   If approved, acceptable substitutes are straw from oats, wheat, rye, barley or rice from which grain has been removed, and that are free of noxious weeds, mold, or other objectionable material.  The mulch shall contain at least 50 percent by weight of material which is 10 inches or longer.  Mulch shall be in an air-dry condition and suitable for placing with blower equipment.

Soil Erosion Control Material and Staples:

Soil Erosion Control Blanket  

Soil Erosion Control Blankets shall consist of a machine produced mat of biodegradable material.  It shall be certified by the supplier or manufacturer to be of sufficient quality and design to function as intended on slopes greater than 3:1 with moderate to heavy runoff conditions.  The erosion control blanket shall be a uniform thickness, with all material evenly distributed over the blanket.  The blanket shall be covered on one side with either plastic netting or twisted kraft paper cord netting.  Plastic netting shall be biodegradable polypropylene extracted plastic net with 1 to 2 percent carbon black and shall have a ½-inch to ¾-inch mesh opening.  Twisted kraft paper cord netting shall have a mesh size not to exceed 1-1/2 inches by 3 inches.  The blanket shall be composed of either biodegradable straw, coconut, or wood fiber of any approved mixture.  No blanket with paper as the major component shall be used unless prior approval is obtained from the DECAM.  The blanket shall be laid in a 1 foot trench, stapled every ½ yard, and covered with soil on the entire length of its’ upper slope.  The erosion control blanket shall then be securely stapled to the site using staples as described in section 2.5.2, and depicted in Staples Pattern Guide , TE-1.  All manufacturer’s specifications shall be supplied to the DECAM for approval prior to application. 

Staples 

Staples shall be made of 11 gauge or heavier steel wire, “U” shaped with a 1-inch crown, and legs a minimum of six inches in length.  These staples shall be placed according to the slope gradient and length, as specified on the attached in TE-1. 

Channel lining  

Channel Lining shall be placed across the channel, not down the length.  The staple pattern utilized shall be as depicted in the Staple Pattern Guide in TE-1.  The fabric utilized shall meet the manufacturer’s recommendations for the proposed use.  The Contracting Officer shall be provided the manufacturer’s specifications prior to application, and based upon his/her review, the material may or may not be accepted. 

Erosion Control Fence.  

Silt fencing shall be made of a strong rot-proof synthetic fiber.  The fibers shall be resistant to deterioration due to ultraviolet light and heat exposure.  The synthetic fibers shall be woven into a fabric.  No additional fencing or wire backing is required.  The fencing material shall have a strong tie cord in the top of the material.  Low porosity silt fence shall be the same as or equal to Propex-Silt Stop, Mirafi 700x, or Beltech 755 or approved equal.

Straw or Hay Bales  

Bales for erosion check shall be either straw or hay bales tied firmly with wire or plastic tie and shall be 14” to 16” high x 18” x 36” in size.  Wood stakes to secure the bales shall be a minimum of 2” x 2” x 36” in size. 

Execution: 

Dates for Seeding 

Seedbed preparation and seeding shall be accomplished between the dates of 1 October to 31 May, depending upon soil moisture conditions, except as otherwise directed in writing to the DECAM.  Seeding operations shall not be performed when the soil is wet, sticks to tires and equipment, or is frozen. 

Preparation of Seed bed: 

General:  

All vegetation, weeds, brush, and rubbish shall be cleared and removed from areas to be seeded.  Ground surfaces shall conform to the grades indicated and any deviations there from shall be corrected prior to seeding.  Soil used for repair of erosion and correction of grade deficiencies, shall conform to that specified in 2.3. 

Tillage:  

Tillage should be performed only if the area was previously graded.  Otherwise, the site should be seeded only (tillage may be required as specified by the Contracting Officer).  The soil shall be tilled to a depth of at least 4 inches and no more than 6 inches by plowing, disking, harrowing, by the use of rototillage machinery or other approved operations to prepare an acceptable seedbed.  The work shall be performed only during periods when, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, beneficial results are likely to be obtained.  When drought, excessive moisture, or other unsatisfactory conditions prevail, the work shall be stopped when directed by the Contracting Officer.  The soil surface shall be leveled to meet finished grade requirements before the next specified operations.  All seedbed preparation shall be performed on the contour to reduce soil loss.  On slopes greater than 3:1, tillage shall be done by scarifying the soil surface with heavy rakes, rotating chains drawn by tractor from the top of the slope.  It may be done by a boom arrangement from the bottom of the slope, or by other equipment approved by the Contracting Officer.  On these slopes, minimum tillage depth shall be 2 inches.  No tillage is required on slopes steeper than 1 horizontal to 1 vertical.

Planting seed: 

Geneal: 

Any previously prepared seedbed areas compacted or damaged by interim rains, traffic, or other cause, shall be reworked to restore the ground condition previously specified prior to seeding.  Seed shall be planted (drilled) as specified in 2.1.1. or broadcast seeded as specified in 2.1.1.2. 

Methods: 

 The specified seed varieties and indicated amounts of the mixture shall be uniformly drilled or broadcast over all ground areas disturbed in a manner that will produce an even stand of grass over the entire area seeded.  On areas with slopes 3:1 or flatter, (unless limited by size of area) seed shall be drilled using a rangeland seed drill, unless otherwise approved by the DECAM.  Seed may be broadcast in areas inaccessible to a rangeland drill. 

Broadcast Seeding:  When necessary, seed will be broadcast.  Broadcast seedings shall be covered with soil to an average depth of ¼ inch, but no more than ¾ inch.  Completed seeding shall be compacted by means of a cultipacker-type roller providing 60 to 90 pounds weight per linear foot of roller, or by equivalent approved hand rolling or compacting methods.  Broadcast seeding will not be permitted when the wind velocity is greater than or equal to 10 miles per hour.  The seeding rate for broadcast seeding will be as stated in 2.1.2. 

Drill Seeding:  The seed shall be drilled using a rangeland drill.  The rangeland drill will be pulled at a speed not to exceed 4 mph.  The seed shall be drilled and covered to a depth not less than ¼ inch or more than ¾ inch.  The drill rows shall be spaced no more than 10 inches apart.  The seed drill shall be calibrated to achieve seeding rates outlined in paragraph 2.1. 

Vegetative Mulching: 

Vegetative Mulcing shall be done within the same day as seeding. 

Applying Mulch:  Mulch shall be spread uniformly in a continuous blanket over the seeded areas, using two tons (4,000 lbs) of material per acre.  The mulch shall be spread in such a manner as to prevent bunching. 

Securing Mulch:  Immediately following the spreading of the mulch, the material shall be anchored securely into the soil a minimum of 3 inches by means of a mulch anchoring machine equipped with large coulter-type discs spaced on approximate 8-inch centers.  Edges of the discs shall be dull to prevent cutting of the mulch material. In areas where equipment cannot be used, mulch shall be secured by a shallow covering of earth or by embedding with approved hand methods, including a straight blade spade with a dulled edge. 

Watering:  

No water will be applied to native, field, (dry land) seedings. 

Soil Erosion Control Material: 

Erosion Control material shall be installed on all slopes steeper than 3:1.  Crimped mulch shall be used on all slopes that are 3:1 to 2.5:1.  Slopes steeper than 2.5:1 shall be covered with erosion control blankets.  Mulching and blanketing may be used on flatter slopes when deemed necessary such as at landfills or highly erodible slopes.  Mulch will not be used with soil erosion control blankets. 

Soil Preparation:  

The surface of ditches and slopes to receive soil erosion control blankets shall be finished to a smooth and even condition with all debris, roots, stones and lumps raked out and removed. 

Placement of Soil Erosion Control Material: 

General:  

Soil erosion control blanket shall be unrolled and placed with the netting on top.  Apply wire staples vertically through the netting and blanket into the ground, keeping netting taut against anchor staples.  Erosion control blanket placement shall be accomplished without damage to the installed material or distortion of established grades. 

Ditches:  

Erosion control blanket shall be laid in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.  The manufacturer’s specifications will be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to installation. 

Slopes:  

Erosion control blanket may be laid horizontally or vertically on the slope and secured as discussed in 2.4.2. and shown on TE-1 or as manufacturer’s specifications require.  The manufacturer’s specifications will be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to installation. 

Maintenance:  

The erosion control blanket shall be maintained until all work on the entire contract, or designated portion thereof, has been completed and accepted.  Maintenance shall consist of the repair of eroded areas and the repair or replacement and re-stapling of loose or undermined erosion control blanket, including reseeding. 

Soil Erosion Control Fence.  

Erosion fence shall be installed to reduce sediment loss.  A six-inch deep trench shall be dug just outside the posts for the full length of the silt fence.  Set the studded “T” posts a maximum of 6 feet on center.  Incline the posts toward the runoff source at an angle of not more than 20 degrees from vertical.  Drive the posts into the ground so that no more than 3 feet protrudes about the ground.  Attach the fabric to the posts, and place the fabric into the trench and backfill and compact the soil.  All splice joints shall overlap a minimum of 18 inches.

Straw or Hay Bales.  

Straw or hay bales shall be installed in those areas required to control sheet or gully erosion. 

Protection and Cleanup:  

After seeding and mulching operations have been completed, barricades and approved warning signs shall be erected as required to provide protection against traffic and trespass.  Excess material from seeding and mulching operations, and all debris, shall be cleaned up and disposed of off the site at an approved location. 

Establishment and Cleanup: 

General: 

The Contractor shall be responsible for the accomplishment of the specifications in Division 2.  Proper maintenance shall include protection of embankments and ditches from erosion, and maintenance of the mulch covering up to the completion of the final inspection. 

Protection of Seeded Areas:  

Immediately after seeding, the area shall be protected against traffic or other use by erecting barricades, as required, and placing approved signs at appropriate intervals until final acceptance. 

 Reseeding and Repair:  

During the maintenance period, any eroded or otherwise damaged areas shall be promptly repaired to reestablish the end condition specified herein.  Repair shall include all the operations indicated for the particular area involved to produce the end result specified prior to damage. 

Final Acceptance:  

Final inspection and acceptance will take place when the contractor has completed all procedures outlined in the contract.  Acceptance will be based upon compliance with seedbed preparation, seeding and mulching as defined in paragraph 3.6.

Appendix b